New Delhi:
The ghost of Babri is back to haunt Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani. Anju Gupta, the Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who was L K Advani's security officer and with him at the time the Babri masjid was demolished, has testified in court. She says Advani gave an instigating speech at the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 and repeatedly promised a Ram temple at the disputed site.
Anju is the only police officer from the time to have testified against Advani. Her statement formed a crucial part of the case the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) eventually filed against Advani and seven others in 1993. Ten years later a CBI court let off Advani on grounds of insufficient evidence. But in 2005, based on Anju Gupta's statement, the Allahabad High Court reinstated the charges against Advani.
''No sooner had Advani arrived than the situation became tense. It worsened as he spoke. When the first, second and third dome fell, Uma Bharti and Sadhvi Rithambara hugged each other and distributed sweets. They expressed happiness by hugging Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and S C Dixit. After the domes fell, they congratulated each other," Advani's PSO Anju Gupta had told CBI in 1993.
In court today, Gupta said on oath that she accompanied Advani to Ram Katha, a place where the dais was located, near the disputed structure, on December 6, 1992.
She said she recognized 80 to 100 people, who were on the dais, by face. Advani and others, she said were there on the dais till 7:55 pm.
Gupta told the court that Advani gave an instigating speech which encouraged the crowd. Advani, Gupta said, repeatedly told the crowd that a temple would be built at the disputed site.
She also said that BJP hardliner, Vinay Katiyar, delivered a provocative speech and encouraged the crowd gathered.
And as the dome of the mosque fell, sweets were distributed and Uma Bharti and Sadhvi Rithambara hugged, the IPS officer said.
She quoted Rithambara and Uma as exhorting the crowds to pull down the mosque faster.
Hearing ended for the day. The next date of hearing is April 23, when Advani's lawyers will cross-examine Gupta.
But why is today's testimony so crucial? Based on Gupta's detailed statement, Sangh leaders, including Advani formed a key part of the criminal case the CBI filed against Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar, Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Sadhvi Ritambhara in 1993.
They were initially charged with making inflammatory speeches, inciting violence and conspiracy in the case.
The conspiracy charge was later dropped and in 2003, Advani was discharged. In July 2005, however, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court reinstated several charges against him, including provoking people into rioting and arson and creating discord among communities.
Today Anju sticking by her statement and repeating that testimony in front of a magistrate means it can now be used as evidence to prosecute Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar, Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Sadhvi Ritambhara.
And this is what Justice Liberhan report, which was formed to probe the Babri demolition, had said about Advani's role in the demolition of the disputed structure.
Congress also said the accused in Babri case have already been convicted in public eye.
Reacting to the recent controversy, Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Although we believe that parties such as this and persons such as this stand convicted in the bar of public opinion...already over 18-20 years ago...it is important for them to have a legal finality as well. This is the first, official, direct eyewitness testimony in the legal, technical sense in this matter."
However, the BJP said that the party would not like to comment on Anju Gupta's statement in court. "It's a legal decision and on behalf of the party, I would not like to comment on it as of now," BJP's spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said in New Delhi. (Watch video)
Anju is the only police officer from the time to have testified against Advani. Her statement formed a crucial part of the case the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) eventually filed against Advani and seven others in 1993. Ten years later a CBI court let off Advani on grounds of insufficient evidence. But in 2005, based on Anju Gupta's statement, the Allahabad High Court reinstated the charges against Advani.
''No sooner had Advani arrived than the situation became tense. It worsened as he spoke. When the first, second and third dome fell, Uma Bharti and Sadhvi Rithambara hugged each other and distributed sweets. They expressed happiness by hugging Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and S C Dixit. After the domes fell, they congratulated each other," Advani's PSO Anju Gupta had told CBI in 1993.
In court today, Gupta said on oath that she accompanied Advani to Ram Katha, a place where the dais was located, near the disputed structure, on December 6, 1992.
She said she recognized 80 to 100 people, who were on the dais, by face. Advani and others, she said were there on the dais till 7:55 pm.
Gupta told the court that Advani gave an instigating speech which encouraged the crowd. Advani, Gupta said, repeatedly told the crowd that a temple would be built at the disputed site.
She also said that BJP hardliner, Vinay Katiyar, delivered a provocative speech and encouraged the crowd gathered.
And as the dome of the mosque fell, sweets were distributed and Uma Bharti and Sadhvi Rithambara hugged, the IPS officer said.
She quoted Rithambara and Uma as exhorting the crowds to pull down the mosque faster.
Hearing ended for the day. The next date of hearing is April 23, when Advani's lawyers will cross-examine Gupta.
But why is today's testimony so crucial? Based on Gupta's detailed statement, Sangh leaders, including Advani formed a key part of the criminal case the CBI filed against Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar, Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Sadhvi Ritambhara in 1993.
They were initially charged with making inflammatory speeches, inciting violence and conspiracy in the case.
The conspiracy charge was later dropped and in 2003, Advani was discharged. In July 2005, however, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court reinstated several charges against him, including provoking people into rioting and arson and creating discord among communities.
Today Anju sticking by her statement and repeating that testimony in front of a magistrate means it can now be used as evidence to prosecute Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar, Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, Vishnu Hari Dalmiya and Sadhvi Ritambhara.
And this is what Justice Liberhan report, which was formed to probe the Babri demolition, had said about Advani's role in the demolition of the disputed structure.
- Demolition 'supported by Advani, Joshi, Vajpayee'
- Advani made 'feeble requests' to Kar Sevaks to come down
- Icons of the movement could 'just as easily' have prevented demolition
- 'Hidden intentions of one and all' was to accomplish demolition
Congress also said the accused in Babri case have already been convicted in public eye.
Reacting to the recent controversy, Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Although we believe that parties such as this and persons such as this stand convicted in the bar of public opinion...already over 18-20 years ago...it is important for them to have a legal finality as well. This is the first, official, direct eyewitness testimony in the legal, technical sense in this matter."
However, the BJP said that the party would not like to comment on Anju Gupta's statement in court. "It's a legal decision and on behalf of the party, I would not like to comment on it as of now," BJP's spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said in New Delhi. (Watch video)
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